Ornithopter aircraft transmission

ABSTRACT

This invention is regarding an aircraft transmission that is designed to enable an ornithopter aircraft to take off vertically by generating lift through precision controlled oscillating propellers or wings, similar but unlike a helicopter rotor blade and has the uncanny ability for aerobatic flight. A gearless infinite variable oscillating transmission for ornithopter aircraft oscillatory motion propulsion, wherein the oscillatory motion is generated by a wobble plate and propulsive motion is propellers, wings, or any other propulsive action or phenomena, characterized by two parts, or pairs of elements, of the same potential capacity, which oscillate in series on opposed fronts with each propulsion unit capable of operating independently of the other. Infinite variable oscillating transmission is used to power numerous mechanical devices.

According to the invention, there is provided an oscillating motion transmission mechanism for driving propellers, wings or any other devices with variable control of pitch and angle of attack, with 360 degree adjustable control of radial rotation of the propeller cord line and infinite variable stroke space between propellers or wings propulsion. Oscillating mechanism could be used in the aircraft industries, mechanical tools or numerous other power devices which addresses the deficiencies of prior art.

BACKGROUND ART

No known existing prior art exists for an aircraft transmission capable of producing independent propeller or wing propulsion on three separate axis for aircraft use.

Infinitely variable torque ratio characteristics for a power transmission can be achieved by using a friction belt and pulley arrangement in which a drive pulley and a driven pulley, connected by an endless belt, are adapted for torque transfer with an infinitely variable torque ratio range by adjusting the pitch diameter of the pulleys, the pitch diameter of the driving pulley increasing as the pitch diameter of the driven pulley decreases, and vice versa. Examples of belt drives of this kind may be seen by referring to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,417,621 and 5,514,047.

It is known design practice also to provide infinitely variable torque ratio characteristics by using a hydraulic pump as a driving member and a hydraulic motor as a driven member.

The pump and motor are located in a closed hydrostatic fluid pressure circuit. By varying the displacement of the pump, the effective speed ratio of the hydrostatic transmission can be changed through a wide torque ratio range. Examples of WOBBLE-plate drives of this kind may be seen by referring to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,640,687 and 5,743,716.

Various types of infinitely variable friction drives also are well known. It is known design practice, for example, to use friction cone members wherein the relative positions of the friction cones are adjustable to provide an infinitely variable torque ratio characteristic. An example of a friction cone drive mechanism may be seen by referring to U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,235.

Various Wobble-Plate configurations used for pumps as in this patent. Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a WOBBLE plate machine for use as a pump will be described. U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,384

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mechanical system for varying the pitch angle of the blades of a propeller or wings during oscillation thereof.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved transmission system for oscillating propellers, wings or other propulsion mechanism.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system for changing the cord line of propeller, wings or other propulsion mechanism.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for creating oscillating motion on two distinct axis planes of a wobble plate and to provide the means for creating a new and improved ornithopter aircraft transmission.

The present invention relates to an all bearing, gearless oscillating transmission mechanism having infinitely variable oscillation ratios on two axis plane and a means for adjustable rotation of complete transmission on a third axis plane. In particular, the present invention relates to an oscillation mechanism whose oscillation ratios change continuously over the oscillation ratio continuum with means for variable control of space between stroke length of oscillations and means for changing the angle of attack of oscillating propellers, wings, or any other propulsive action or phenomena and when the transmission as a unit is rotated around the circumference of an input rotary torque power input shaft having the means for infinite 360 degrees control of the propeller cord line. This Invention solves the problem for using a non-complex all ball bearing light weight oscillating transmission mechanism for aircraft, ornithopter or tool use. Object of the invention is for aircraft use.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a complete drawing of the mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross section of drive yoke and headstock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings;

A wobble plate oscillating mechanism for use as an ornithopter propulsion device for driving propellers or wings, with variable control of the pitch or angle of attack of oscillating propeller or wings propulsion motion, with means for 360 degrees of adjustable control of propeller cord line, and means for variable control of space between oscillation stroke lengths of propellers or wings. In this embodiment a rotatable bearing housing 1 is fitted inside with a rotary torque power input shaft 2. Rotary torque power input shaft 2 which has inside splines at the torque end of shaft 2 for driving a linear sliding drive shaft 3 with outside splines. One end of linear sliding drive shaft 3 with outside splines mounts inside said rotary torque power input shaft 2 with means for linear sliding movement and rotary torque drive motion. Drive end of sliding drive shaft 3 has means for mounting two drawn cup needle bearings 9 that are located at 180 degrees straight line from each other. Sliding drive shaft 3 is mounted into inter-race 6 with two bearings and is used for radial rotation of wobble plate bearing 7 and for creating oscillating motion on two axis planes. Wobble plate 7 is rotatable adjustable on drawn cup needle bearings 9 of sliding drive shaft 3. Using a torque wedge 5 mounted on the end of the rotary torque power input shaft 2 and connected to inter bearing race 6 of wobble plate 7, infinitely changing angle of momentum of wobble plate from “principal axis of rotation”. Outer race housing of wobble plate bearing 7 is mounted to drive yoke 8 which has two bearings mounted to the outside race of wobble plate bearing housing 7 at 180 degrees straight line. Yoke 8 is mounted in a headstock 10 fitted with bearings and will follow wobble plate outer bearing retainer 7 on one oscillating axis plane. Wobble plate 7 mounted in yoke 8 has two distinct axis of oscillation movement perpendicular to each axis. Radial rotation of complete transmission unit about the circumference of the rotary power shaft will change cord angle of attack of propeller 16 and lateral movement of headstock 10 and yoke 8 will change stroke length of propeller or wings. Yoke 8 mounts inside headstock 10 at a 90 degree angle to the attached outer bearing race of wobble plate 7. A sliding shaft is formed to headstock 10 at 90 degrees and slides into a bearing housing 11. Head stock 10 has means for linear sliding of headstock shaft 10 back and forth in a longitudinal direction using a worm gear 1. Moving headstock shaft 10 in a linear direction will move yoke 8 and said wobble plate bearing 7 as a unit in a linear direction which will adjust inter-race 6, of wobble plate bearing 7, from principal plane of rotation and imparts a gyroscopic wobble motion to wobble plate bearing 7. Drive yoke 8 will follow the movement of wobble plate outer bearing retainer 7 on one fixed axis plane creating an oscillating motion on two axis planes.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings;

A means for mounting sliding drive shaft 3 into inter-race 6 and wobble plate bearing 7 into yoke 8, and headstock 10. While the invention has been described in its preferred form, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise form of the illustrated embodiment, but various changes and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art, within the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

For example, the dimensions and configuration of the wobble plate bearing and inter-race may be modified and reverse engineered within the principle of the invention which will be apparent from the foregoing description.

Further, the wobble plate bearing in the preceding embodiment may be reverse engineered by a rotary torque power input shaft with bearings connected to the outside of the wobble plate bearing retainer. Inside race of wobble plate will be connected to a drive shaft with two bearings that do not radially rotate. The two bearings will allow the wobble plate bearing to rotate from its principal axis of radial rotation centerline. Drive shaft connects to a propeller that is attached to a yoke that mounts inside a headstock. Using a wedge between the outside race of wobble and power input shaft for rotating wobble plate from its principal plane of rotation. The effect will be the same. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An infinite variable oscillating mechanism with means for simultaneously oscillation on two distinct axis perpendicular from each other with one complete 360 degrees of revolution of wobble plate inter-race. 1 According to claim 1, wherein a propulsion mechanism with means for a rotary torque power input shaft mounted inside a bearing housing. 2 According to claim 1, wherein said rotary torque power input shaft with means for rotary torque driving a linear sliding rotatable torque drive shaft. 3 According to claim 1, wherein said linear sliding torque rotatable drive shaft with means for both radial rotation and changing angle of momentum of inter race of said wobble plate displacing it from its principal axis of radial rotation centerline. 4 According to claim 1, wherein an outside bearing race and retainer of said wobble plate bearing is mounted to a yoke with means for two bearings located 180 degrees straight line. 5 According to claim 1, wherein said yoke when mounted in a headstock with means for creating two distinct axis plane of oscillation in 360 degrees of rotation of said wobble plate inter-race.
 2. An oscillating transmission mechanism with means for infinitely variable control of space between oscillating stroke lengths of said yoke. 1 According to claim 2, wherein said yoke with means for infinitely variable control of oscillation stroke space length of propellers, wings or any other propulsive action when mounted to said headstock. 2 According to claim 2, wherein space stroke length of said yoke and said propeller is infinitely adjustable by sliding said yoke, headstock, and said wobble plate as a unit laterally back and forth in a linear direction to said rotary torque power input shaft, and bearing housing using a torque wedge located between said inter race of said wobble plate and said rotary torque power input shaft.
 3. A wobble plate with means for using one oscillating axis plane for control of pitch or angle of attack of yoke, propellers, wings, or any other propulsion action. 1 According to claim 3, wherein operating on one axis plane of oscillation said wobble plate, with means for applying a reciprocating thrust motion to a second wobble plate mounted on a propeller shaft. 2 According to claim 3, wherein reciprocating motion is used to apply thrust work force to a wobble plate bearing mounted on a propeller shaft with means for radially oscillating propeller shaft from its principal pitch or angle of attack.
 4. An oscillating propeller, wing, or propulsion devices with means for 360 degrees radial rotation of cord line. 1 According to claim 4, wherein said complete transmission as a unit has means for adjusting radially about the circumference of said rotary torque power input shaft infinitely changing the cord line of said propeller, wings or propulsion device's. 